As president retires, 2 Pittsburgh trade schools merge

Rosedale Technical College in Kennedy Township and Dean Institute of Technology in West Liberty have announced they are merging, effective immediately.

Rosedale, which made Forbes’ list of Top 25 Two-Year Trade Schools in 2018, will assume Dean’s students at its Kennedy campus, the schools said. The current Dean Tech location on West Liberty Road will close, and all operations will be relocated to Rosedale Tech’s campus.

Both schools have a long history of training students in the skilled trades — Rosedale since 1949, when it was known as Rosedale Technical Institute, and Dean since 1947, when it was known as West Penn Tech.

“The combination of these two iconic institutions is a very positive step towards securing the future of technical training in Western Pennsylvania,” said Dennis Wilke, Rosedale president. “By joining forces, students will have the opportunity to continue to seek training in the skilled trades so desperately needed by our local economy.”

Rosedale Tech offers two-year degrees in electrical, HVAC, automotive, diesel, collision repair and industrial technology. Diploma programs are offered in welding, electrical, HVAC, automotive, diesel and truck driving.

“As I considered retirement, I sought a strong partner that has the same values and vision as Dean Tech,” said Jim Dean, the president of Dean Tech who will serve on Rosedale Tech’s board of directors. “I felt that Rosedale Tech was the perfect fit to continue the Dean Tech legacy.”